Hyderabad :

It will not be too long when using digital maps becomes part of daily life. Web-based maps will become an integral part while carrying out daily activities like buying a home, travelling and shopping.

Though maps have been in use for many years, with the advent of ‘Google maps’ people have got a taste of usage of maps in daily life. Already, many youngsters have got accustomed to using Google navigation app while driving.

“Though extremely useful Google map provides just a very minute part of the basic information needed for people. Even more complex and useful information can be presented in the form of maps,” SV Singh, director of Survey of India (SoI), Hyderabad, said on the sidelines of the 34th annual Congress of Indian National Cartographic Association (INCA) here on Tuesday.

More complex information like knowing about density of forest cover, availability of water bodies, population density, sex ratio, agriculture potential, literacy levels, among others can all be depicted through maps.

“Survey of India prepares maps in various categories. Sensing the curiosity among public, half of SoI maps were made available for public on www.surveykshan.gov.in,” Singh said. The fact that there are more than hundred thematic maps, tells how a vast range of information can be compiled and presented through maps.

“SoI has launched a virtual reference system (VRS) through which the whole of India will be mapped for serving as a reference and navigation tool. It will be more accurate than Google navigation as points on Google are away at a distance of 15 metres while points in VRS system will be away by just half metre,” explained Swarna Subba Rao, surveyor-general of India.

Virtual reference system is being taken up with an outlay of `12,000 crore and using GPS.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by J. Deepti Nandan Reddy / December 17th, 2014